Key Points
- The event was entitled 'Noong Bata Pa Ako'.
- Childhood games and Filipino snacks were the focus of the celebration.
- According to the group's president, Versie Tamblyn, a seniors group not only helps alleviate isolation and loneliness, it helps people better engage with community and self.
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'Noong bata pa ako': Pinoy senior citizens, pinangunahan ang paggunita sa Araw ng Kalayaan sa Melbourne
SBS Filipino
10/06/202404:14
Last June 8, Bayanihan in Melbourne, Inc., a seniors group based in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, celebrated Philippine Independence Day early with their event entitled 'Noong Bata Pa Ako.'
The said event, hosted by motivational speaker Lee Montajes, was held in the Janefield Community Centre in Bundoora.
Bayanihan in Melbourne Inc.'s 'Noong Bata Pa Ako' event. Source: SBS
Jackstones Source: SBS
Chef Princess Uy presented a video cooking demonstration of her grandmother's maja blanca and a live cooking demo of palitaw. Source: SBS
When asked about the importance of seniors engaging with community, the group's president, Versie Tamblyn, shared "We're not an island as people. It's important to have that constant connection.
There are two reasons why it's important for seniors to engage with community: isolation and loneliness. Those are things we battle and to have a specific group is important to maintain your sanity.Versie Tamblyn, President of Bayanihan in Melbourne Inc.
"I come from the Philippines, from that part of the world. That's where I got my character, my mannerism. Everything is rooted there.
"We're not an island as people. It's important to have that constant connection." Source: SBS
